Kelly Hoppen MBE designs dedicated space for Intensive Care staff
Award winning British interior designer, Kelly Hoppen MBE, has redesigned a break room for the Intensive Care staff at Blackpool Victoria Hospital, creating a calm space for staff to rest and regroup.
The Dragons Den TV star. was approached by the hospital’s Engagement Manager, Susanna Srivastava, to see if she could help create a space that would enable staff to have moments of peace and reflection amidst such a tough environment,
Susanna said: “We wanted Kelly Hoppen to design the room as we felt she would have a really good understanding of our staff wellbeing.
“The relaxation and support room couldn’t have come at a better time as our staff have been through such a traumatic time dealing with Covid-19. We are delighted with how the room looks and are so proud and grateful that Kelly chose to work with us.”
Kelly was honoured to be approached and jumped at the opportunity to help the incredibly hardworking staff.
She said: “I felt compelled to help out when I saw some of the spaces NHS staff were sitting in, it’s the least I could do! I kept thinking about the distress the staff were in and wanted to brighten up the space and make it a calming environment for them.
“They are working every hour God created and I know how the virus has affected me and staff. They are seeing what we don’t see and having a space to clear their minds and relax before they go into intensive care is really important.
“They have been extraordinary in their ability to fight this and their courage and wisdom to deal with it and the whole of the UK has been watching with awe.
“They are all stars and I’m sad it’s taken this for the NHS and the staff to be appreciated in this way and I cannot thank them enough.”
Consultant in Intensive Care at Blackpool teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Dr Jason Cupitt added: “All the staff have found the past few months very physically and emotionally challenging. The room allows people to come in and relax from their environment and switch off from their hard work.”
A video of the support room and an interview with Kelly is available to view here.